Switch for incandescent-lamp sockets.



PATENTED MAY 10, 1904.

J. D. RAYMOND. SWITUH FUR INGANDESUENT LAMP SOCKETS. APPLICATION FILED rm. 1, 1904.

N0 MODEL.

" J lilllllllll m nn UNITED STATES Patented May 10, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

SWITCH FOR lNCANDESCENT-LAMP SOCKETS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 759,632, dated May 10, 1904.

Application filed February 1, 1904. Serial No. 191,423. (No model.)

To (LZZ 1011 0171, it may col warn.-

Be it known that I, JOHN D. RAYMOND, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ohicago, in the county of (look and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switches for Incandescent- Lamp Sockets, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in sockets for incandescent lamps, andhas for its object to provide an improved switch mechanism associated with the socket for controlling the current through the lamp.

The invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter particularly described, specifically designated in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a vertical diametrical section of the socket, taken on the line 1 1 of Fig. 3, showing the connection for the terminal of one of the line conductors. Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 3 with the casing removed and showing the terminal connection of the other line conductor. Fig. 3 is a horizontal transverse section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2, ilh'istrating the switch-lever in its open position in full lines and in its closed position in dotted lines. Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the socket, showing the contacts for the electrodes of thelamp. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the upper portion of the device with the shell or casing removed, and Fig. 6 is a detail of one of the spring-clamps holding the switch-lever.

In carrying out my invention I provide a block 10, made of any suitable insulating material and shown in the present instance as circular in transverse section and tapering at its lower end. Secured to the bottom of the block 10 is a socket 11, of conducting material, which is interiorly screw-threaded to receive the lamp. The socket 11 is secured to the block 10 by means of bolts 12, which pass through an inwardly-extending flange 13 of the socket and clamp the same to the block. A recess 14, Fig. 2, in the side of the block is provided to receive a conducting-strip 15, provided with a binding-screw 16, by which the terminal of the line conductor 17 is held in electrical contact with the strip 15. In the present instance the plate 15 is provided with inturned flanges 18, and the upper of these flanges is secured to the upper wall of the recess 1 1 by a screw 19 passing through the top of the block 10, and the lower end of the strip is held in position by a screw 20, which passes through the flange 13 and is therefore in electrical extension of the socket 11. The flange 13 is continuous, and when the lamp is in position in the socket 11 one of the electrodes of the lamp is brought into engagement with the socket or the flange 13 irrespective of its position. A second recess 21, Fig. 1, is also provided in the side of the block 10 and receives a conducting-strip 22, similar to the strip 15 and to which the terminal of the other conductor, 23, is held by a binding-screw 24. The strip 22 is also provided with inturned flanges 25, the upper of which is secured to the block by a screw 26, while the lower end is secured by a screw 27, which, however, does not come into contact with the flange 13 of the socket 11. The upper ends of the recesses 14 and 21 are connected by a horizontal slot 28.

Extending centrally through the block 10 is a conducting-post 29, which passes through the lower end of the block 10 and is provided with a head adapted to be engaged by the inner or other electrode of the lamp. In the present instance the post 29 is shown with its head seated in a bushing 30. A horizontal segmental slot 32, Fig. 3, which is in exten sion of the slot 28, extends to the post 29, and located in this slot or way is a switch-lever 33, which moves along the slot 28. This lever 33 is made of conducting material; but that portion of the same which extends beyond the side of the block 10 is provided with an insulating-handle 34. Mounted at the end of the slot adjacent the strip 15 is a spring catch to receive the switch-lever and hold it at that end of the slot or when the switch is moved to its open position. This springcatch is shown as a spring-linger 36, which is secured to the block 10 by a screw 35 and engages the switch-lever to hold the same against movement.

Secured between the upper flange of the strip 22 and the upper wall of the slot 28 by the screw 26 is a pair of plates 37 and 38, adapted to receive between them and hold the switch-lever 33 when the latter is thrown to its closed position. The plate 38, which is in the form of a spring-finger, in addition to holding the switch-lever closed also presses the lever between itself and the plate 37 and insures a close contact between the parts, and consequently a good connection.

From the foregoing it will be understood that when the lamp is screwed in the socket 11 one electrode thereof will be brought into contact with the socket 11, while the inner or central electrode will be in electrical extension of the post 29. WVhen .the lever 33 is out of engagement with the spring-finger electrode 38, the circuit is open, and in order to hold the lever out of engagement with the spring 38 the lever is moved into engagement with the spring-finger 36. When, however, it is desired to light the lamp, the switch-lever 33 is thrown into engagement with the spring 38, which receives the sameand holds it in such position. The current then flows through the conductor 17, strip 15, screw 20, socket 11, to one electrode of the lamp, through the filament of the lamp, out the other electrode to conducting post 29, then by the switch-lever 33, which is in electrical contact with the post 29, to the spring 38, conductingstrip 22, and out by way of the conductor 23. In either position of the switch-lever it is held by the spring-catches at the opposite ends of the slot 28, and accidental opening and closing of the circuit is thereby prevented.

Any suitable frame or casing for the socket and associated parts may be employed. In

the present instance I have shown the block and socket inclosed by a sleeve or bushing 39, of insulating material, and which insulates all of the terminals and conducting parts at the side of the socket and block. A casing 40, of

any desired material, such as brass, incloses the bushing 39, and a cap 41 is secured to the casingby screws 42. The cap 41, as usual, has an opening through the center in which is located an insulating-thimble 43, and the conductors 17 and 23 pass through the thimble. Grooves 44: in the sides of the block 10 are provided for receiving the conductingcords.

The operation of the switch for closing and opening the circuit through the lamp is very simple, and its control is positive. By means of the spring-catches for holding the switchlever accidental opening and closing of the circuit is avoided, and the parts are simple in construction and very compact in arrangement.

Having described my invention, what I claim In a switch for incandescent lamps, in combination, an insulating supporting-block provided with a lamp-socket and having a slot opening through the side thereof, conductingstrips secured to the block and to which the conductors of an electrical circuit are adapted to be connected, a connection between one of the strips and the socket, a conducting-post carried by and extending through the bottom of the block, a switch-lever pivoted on the post and moving in the slot, a spring-finger at one end of the slot in electrical extension of the other conducting-strip and adapted to engage and hold the lever when the latter is thrown to close the circuit through the lamp, and a spring-finger in the slot to receive and hold the lever when the said lever is moved to open the circuit.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN D. RAYMOND.

VV-itnesses:

ARTHUR B. SEIBoLD, ELIZABETH MoLrroR. 

